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Patented May 28, 1912.

M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. APYLIOATION FILED JULY 12, 1911.

1,07,865 Patented May 28, l1912.

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M. B. LLOYD.

CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL.

APPLICATION rILzn JULY 12, 1911.

1,027,865. Patented May 28, 1912.

M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. APPL'IOATION FILED JULY 12, 1911.

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M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL.

APPLIUATIoN FILED JULY 12, 1911.. Patented 28 15 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

M. B. LLOYD.

CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL.

APPLIoATIon rILnn JULY 12, 1911.

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Patented May 28, 1912.

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Patented May 28, 1912.l

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M. B. LLOYD.

CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. APPLIoATwN FILED JULY 1a, 1911.

Patented May V28, 1912.

M. B. LLOYD. CNTINUOUS TUBE MILL.

.APPLICATION FILED JULY1Z,1911 l l 1 ,027,865, 1 Patented May 28, 1912.

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M. B. LLOYD. .ooNTINUoUs TUBE MILL.

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Patented May 28, 1912.

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M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. PPLIUATIOH rILnn JULY 12, 1911.

Patented May 28, 1912.

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CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 12, 1911.

Patented May 28, 1912.

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CONTINUOUS TUBE MILL. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12.71911.

Patented May 28,4 1912.

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MARSHALL B. LLOYD, 0F MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC WELDINGCOMPANY, 0F MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

CONTINUOUS TUBE-MILL.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28,1912.

Application filed July. 12, 1911. Serial No. 638,203.r

To all whom z't may concer-n:

Be itknown that I, MARSHALL BURNS LLOYD, a citizen of the United States,and aresident of Menominee,Menominee county, lliichigan, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Manufacturing MetalTubes, of which the following a specification.

My invention relates generally to machines for manufacturingmetaltubing, and has particular reference to an improved machine formanufacturing Welded metal tubing. Y

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which shall beadapted to produce metal tubing,'and particularly thin-Walled metaltubing, more rapidly, more perfectly, more economically and with muchless manual labor than has been possible hitherto.

Another object of my invention is to provide .a machine by means ofwhich either non-Welded or Welded metal tubing may be thus producedcontinuously and in any desired lengths. 4

A special object of my invention is to provide a continuous tube mill ofsuch construction that metal tubing may be formed from stripstock/Welded, shaped, and cut up in lengths, Without manual handling orintervention, and Within a minimum of time and space.

A further and particular object of this invention -is to provide anautomatic Inachine or apparatus for carrying out the improvements in theart of manufacturing Welded metal tubing which are described and claimedin my companion application of even date herewith, Serial No. 638,202,entitled Continuous process of manufacturing metal tubing.

Still further objects of my invention Will appear hereinafter.

Mynovel automatic or continuous tube mill comprises a plurality ofmechanisms and organizations of mechanisms by Which the material-usuallyeither cold rolled or hot rolled strip steel-is formed into a tubehaving a longitudinal seam and is 'then Welded, smoothed, sized,straightened and cut o" to length-all in one continuous operation. t l

My invention also embraces means for positioning the Aseam of the tubein readiness for Welding, for cooling the tube after it is yWelded, andfor accomplishing an important step of the process above referred to,which consists in moving the material for- Ward at a constant speed.

More specifically delined, my invention resides in a machine which inits preferred form, comprises formers` or shapers operating inconjunction with an automatic traveling vise or draft mechanism to formor shape the metal into longitudinally seamed tubing, and havingcorrelated and coacting parts and mechanism-s for heating and Weldingthe edges of the tube to close the seam thereof as rapidly as the tubingis .drawn for- Ward, and for controlling the relation of the Weldingmechanism and the tubing so that the seam of the latter will beositioned or guided in proper alinement W1th the Weldlng device toaccurately form the Welded seam.

My invention contemplates, though it is not so limited, a machinewhereby the Welding of the edges of the tubing is brought about by theaid of pressure accompanymg the heating of the metal.

My invention also consists in a machine which automatically removes theburv usually formed at the seam by the Welding operation and also otherimperfections in the surface of the tubing, and which perfects the shapeand size of the tubing preparatory to its being cut into lengths anddischarged from the machine.

My invention further comprises a mechamsm which automatlcally measuresand cuts the tubing into lengths, -Without interruption in the movementof the tubing or in the operation of the machine.

An important feature of my invention resides in a traveling vise orgripping mechanism which `automatically propels or feeds the strip metaland the tubing formed therefrom to the various operating parts by whichthe several stages in the development of the finished tubing areaccomplished; which automatically maintains the tubing in motion Whilethe operating parts of the machine properly perform their functions,Whichautomatically straightens or longitudinally shapes the tubing, andwhich. in conjunction With automatic cut-off mechanism determines or'measures the lengths into which the tubing is finally cut by saidcut-oi mechanism.

My invention further resides in a machine Which has all of its operatingparts and mechanisms combined and arranged in compact form and allcoperating to produce nished metallic tubing at a maximum rate of speed,the various operating parts, however, being removable and adjustable sothat the machine as a whole possesses the widest possible range ofadaptability to the production of tubing of various shapes and sizes.

My invention also consists in several primary and secondary combinationsof parts co-acting to produce various results, all as hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more readily understoo'd by reference to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a continuous tube mill embodying myinvention; Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof; Figs. 3, 4 and 5, togetherconstitute an enlarged plan view of the machine; Figs. 3, 3b, 3, 3d, 3",3f, and 3g, are cross-sectional views, illustrating the evolution ordevelopmentof the tube, from the raw stock or strip to the finished tubesection; Fig. 6, is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section, takencentrally through the tube-forming mechanism; Fig. 6, is a verticalsection on the line 61--6a of Figs. 3 and 6; Fig.` 7, is an enlargedvertical, longitudinal section of the welding mechanism, thebur-removing mechanism and the tube-reducing mechanism, the sectionbeing in the same plane as Fig. 6; Fig. 8, is a vertical cross sectionon the line 8-8 of Figs. 3 and 7; Fig. 9, is an enlarged transversesection of the traveling or continuous vise, on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4;Fig. 10, is a longitudinal, vertical section of the `continuous vise, onthe line 10-10 of Fig.

4; Fig. 11, is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 9, but takenonthe line 11-11 of Fig. 4; Fig. 12, is a transverse section of thecontinuous vise and the operating mechanism thereof, on the line 12-12of Fig. 4; Fig. 13, is a vertical, longitudinal section on the line13-13 of Fig. 5, enlarged, showing details of the measuring and cut-Qifmechanisms; Fig. 14, is an enlarged transverse vertical section, on theline 14-14 of Fig. 5; Fig. 15, is a still further enlarged sectionaldetail of the cutoif mechanism, the section being taken on the line15-15 of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a similar view onthe line 16-16 of Fig. 13;Fig. 1f?, is an end view of the adjustable gage of the cut-olfmechanism, on line 17-17 of Fig. 13; Fig. 18 is a like end view of thetube supporting arm adjacent to the gage, as seenv from the line 18- -18of Fig. 13; Fig. 19, is a side view of the cutoif mechanism, disclosingthe parts which operate the tube clamps; Fig. 20, is an en` larged. plan,view of the parts shown in Fig. 19; Fig. 21, is an'enlarged transversevertical section of the tube forming dies or mechanism, on the line22--221 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 22 is an enlarged side vie'w of thefrictional driving pulley disclosed in Figs. 3 and 21.

As intimated above the apparatus or mechanism herein illustrated is acontinuous,tube mill that I have devised for carrying out theimprovements in the art of manufacturing welded metal tubing, fullydescribed in my said companion application. This particular machineoperates in conformity with that process or improvement in the art, theseveral organized mechanisms, individually and collectively performingthe successive steps which I find are requisite to the rapid andeconomical production of finished tubing from strip stock. This presentinvention is in no Wise limited to the precise machine hereinillustrated, for it may readily be modified by one who is skilled in theart, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims. It should also be understood that the several'component mechanisms of the machineherein disclosed may be employedseparately and also conjointly in dierent sets or series to producedifferent effects and results upon the material operated upon. themechanism used for forcibly and continuously drawing strip metal throughtubeforming, or through tube-shaping dies of various kinds, may beutilized alone for that purpose, or for other purposes; and likewise,those mechanisms which co-act to feed a formed tube forward at aconstant speed and apply heat at constant welding temperature to theclosed or abutting edges of the tube, may be used to that end alone. Soalso other of the mechanism may be used to perform tube making orfinishing functions in association with suitable coacting mechanisms. Itshoiild also be understood that my improvements are applicable in andgreatly simplify those processes of manufacturing tubing which arecharacterized by the addition of metal with which to close the seamofthe tube; as for example, lthe process of manufacturing brazedtubing', as distinguished from the autogenous welding herein described.

In' the drawings, Z, represents a strong table or bench, which supportsthe several operating parts of the machine. At one end of this bench isa tube-forming mechanism A. Next to the tube-forming mechanism is awelding mechanism B, and Vthen .follows a bur-removing mechanism C, atube-reducing or sizing mechanism D, 'a continuous draft mechanism orvise E, a polishing mechanism F, and a cut-off mechanism G. At aconvenient distance from the cut-olf mechanism is a suitably supportedmeasuring or Thus, for eXample,.

bench which bears the forming mechanism,

A; lor the standard may be placed on the Hoor near the end of the bench.

The working parts and faces' of the several' mechanisms on the bench areprefer-.-

ably arranged in longitudinal working alinement, and any given piece orlength of tubing material which occupies the machine, considered fromend to end thereof, is therefore maintained in straight line,nondistorted condition, while it (such piece or length) is being actedupon by the several mechanisms, A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

The construction of the forming mecha- `nism is disclosed in Figs.` l,2, 3, 6, 21 and 22. As indicated therein, the strip may be formed into atube by using two sets of forming dies. The first set may comprise oneor more pairs of rotary dies or rolls; for example, the upper and lowerrolls A1 and A2 are of such formation as to shape the strip tosemi-circular form in cross section. These rolls are mounted on shaftsA3 and A1, which are positively connected by spur gears A5 and A6 of thesame ratio as the rolls A1, A2. The bearings of the shafts A3 and A1 areheld in a pair of standards A7 which rise from the bench, and the shaftA1 is vertically adjustable by means of the screws AS. As it will appearhereinafter, the material is forcibly pulled or drawn through theseveral operating mechanisms by the continuous vise E. In some cases Iprefer to relieve the drawing vise from all `or a part of the resistanceof the forming mechanism; and, in such'cases, I equip the forming'rollswith an independent `driving mechanism. This may be the friction pulleyshown in Figs. 2, 3, 21 and 22; made up of a hub or internal portion A2,having sections of its rim pressed outwardly by springs, and an outerrim A10, which is engaged-'by the spring pressed sections of theinternalportion. The springs A11, are adjustable by means of screws andnuts A12, and by this means the belt A13 may be caused to impart more orless driving force to the shaft A2. By vtightening the springs, theforming rolls may be made to drive the strip of metal forward and whollyoffset the pulling strain of the vise E. Usually I adjust the springsofthe pulley for a light .pressure upon the rim of mthe pulley and allowthe latter to slip, the rim A1o being driven faster than therolls A1 andA2, .the

latter being held back bythe more slowly moving strip of material. Whenthe strip stockisA hard, heavy or stiff and diiiicult to shape, thesprings of the pulley may be tightened. Thus it will be seen that thefriction pulley serves the purposes of a compensating device, and may beused orallowed to run idly, according to the kind of stock' which is4being operated upon. The strip from the reel enters the rolls throughan adjustable guide A14, madc'desirable by the varying diameter of thereel or bundle of material on the. reel standard. If desired this guideA1A1 may serve as an initial die. On leaving the forming rolls the strip1 enters the second forming die. v The principal members of this seconddie may be an annular die A15 and a tapered pin or Inandrcl A1". A heavyblock or standard A17 supports these parts. The die A15 is removablysecured in a sleeve A12, fitted in the block A17, and the mandrel A1 isadjustably held by an over-hanging arm A19 which arm is longitudinallyadjustable on the top of the block A17, being secured by set screws A20.i The sleeve A18 has a Haring or tapered receivingthroat, which mayassist in shaping the strip of metal as it is drawn thereinto, but therelatively adjustable parts A15 and A10 perform the greater part of thework of closing the edges of the strip l together. The closeness withwhich the seam is closed depends 'upon the adjustment of the parts A15and A1, and if desired, these parts may be so closely adjusted as toreduce the thickness of the metal operated on. The several stages of thedevelopment of the tubing are depicted in Figs. 32, 3b, 3, and 3d. Fig.311, shows the cross sectionI of the strip as it leaves the reel; Fig.3b, shows the cross section of the strip when in the rolls A1 and A2;Fig. 3c, shows its form at the moment that it is about to enter the dieA15, and, Fig. 3d, shows the form of the tube as it emerges from the dieA15. The edges of the metal strip are indicated by the character, t,throughout Figs. 31, 37', 3c and 311; and as Shown in Fi 31, these edgesare in substantial abutment when the tube leaves the forming `die A15.These abutting edges, separated by a very narrow crack, constitute theseam which is to be closed.

At the moment thatthe material emerges from the forming mechanism A, ithas taken on its form as a tube, and, as indicated, presents its openseamy at the top. The nature of the welding mechanism is such as torequire the seamof the tube to occupy a denite or substantially definiteplane or position, and to prepare the tubing for reception by thewelding mechanism, I associate with the forming mechanism an auxiliarymechanism, which I term the tubeseam-positioning device. In thedrawings,

this seam positionin device is indicated by the character AA. ue tovarious causes, the strip of material in passing the forming mechanismis subjected to more or less torsion and the tendency is to form a tubehaving a spirally twisted seam or atleast an irregular or wavy seam. Theseam positioning device alluded to eifects the correction of thistendency and causes the newly formed tubing to emerge from the formingmechanism and 4enter the welding mechanism with the seam of the tubingin substantially exact alinement with the axis of 'the tubing anddirectly above said axis.

The tube seam positioning device may partake of various forms and it maybe arranged within the confines of the forming mechanism or may beinterposed between that mechanism and the welding mechanism. Thearticular device shown in the drawings 1s arranged at the throat of thedie A1rs and its construction is fully shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 61.The sleeve A18 is shouldered against the inner side of the block A17 tohold it against the pull of the strip. The inner end of the sleeve A1sis provided with a rotatable collar or ring AA.1 having worm wheel teethAA2 which mesh with a worm AA3 on a cross shaft AA1. This shaft is heldin bearings AA5 on the block A" and is provided with a squared end AA towhich a wrench may be a plied to turn the shaft and the worm Wheel. Thecollar carries a short cross bar AA7 best shown in Fig. 3c and Fig. 61.This bar is made of hardened steel and it is so positioned that theedges of the partially formed strip engage therewith, as shown in Fig.3. By rotating the collar AA1 the cross bar AA7 may be tipped or tiltedto depress one or the 'other edge of the partially formed metal strip,and in this manner the tendency of the strip to creep or twist laterallyor circumferentially in the dies may be corrected. Only occasionaladjustment of the positioning device AA is required to maintain the seamof the tubing in correct position.

My invention is not limited to forming the tubing in dies ofthe sortherein shown, but on the contrary, contemplates the substitution of aforming mechanism of any well known kind adaptedto cooperate with theother elements of my mill.

The welding mechanism, B,' is arranged near the last die of the formingmechanism and its operation is such that the abutting edges, t, t, ofthe tubing are welded together as rapidly as the tubing leaves theforming mechanism. I may employ welding or seam-closing mechanisms ofvarious kinds in lieu of the gas-Hame Welder shown in the drawings, butI find this particular device to be best suited to usual requirements.The construction and operation of the welding mechanism will be'quicklyunderstd by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3,-31, 3, 7 and 8. One element ofthe welding mechanism, B, is a gas torch, of which B1 is the burner tip.or nozzle. This nozzle is formed to emit a finev narrow flame and thenozzle is so positioned as to direct the ame upon the seamedges of thetubing. The position of the seam is governedand assured b thepositioning device hereinbefore descri ed, and the position of the tube,as a whole, with reference to the burner tip on the nozzle is regulatedand assured by the operation of parts of the Welding mechanism about tobe described. It follows, that with these factors defined, the torch maybe fixed or stationary with respect to the forwardly moving v tubing.The parts which hold the tubing (cross-sectionally considered as awhole) in given relation to the torch nozzle are preferably two largerolls-B2, B2, which rotate on vertical axes. These rolls containperipheral grooves, B3, that lit the sides of the formed tubing, in themanner shown in Fig. 8. These horizontal rolls B2, B2, determine theposition of tubing both horizontally and laterally; that is, they serveto hold the tubing againstvlateral movement in any direction at thewelding point without interfering with the forward movement of thetubing. Preferably, these rolls B2 do not meet but instead leave theextreme to and seam of the tubing exposed to the we ding Haine. Byhorizontal adjustment the rolls, B2, B2 may be caused to press upon thesides of the tubing and thus press the seam edges of the tubing more orless firmly together, as may be required to insure the proper weldingthereof. On the bench, Z, is a transverse guide-way, Bt, containingblocks, B5, which are adjustably secured therein by several screws B,B7. The upright shafts, B8 of the rolls B2 rise from the blocks B5 anditis 'i by this device that the rolls B2 are adjusted with respect tothe interposed tubing. I prefer to cool the holding and pressure parts,by applying water thereto. Thus, in the machine herein illustrated, therolls B2, have cups or recesses B9, in their tops, and the water iowsinto these from .the pipes B1;--overflow is prevented by drain passagesand ports B11 and B12 in the hubs of the rolls B2, a`nd in thenon-rotative shafts B8 thereof.

The location of the heating or welding zone is determined by theposition of the torch nozzle, and as stated the position of the tube inthis zone is determined by the holding or pressure rolls B2. The torchused is an approved type of. Oxy-acetylene gas torch. Any torch orburner of suitable type may be Ysubstituted for the torch shown, and onewhich utilizes a non-carbonaceous gas mixture may be advantageouslyemployed in the-production of certain kinds of tublng.

iiexible gas pipes B'1and Bt are joined, saidpipes being .connected withsources of oXy-fgen and acetylene. The gases, being sup,-

plied in proper proportions, when ignited brn with great intensitydirectly at the nozzle. The flame emitted may be described as of twoparts, the first being a short intensely hot flame, andthe second, alarge relatively far extending corona of lower temperature. An instant'sapplication of the short narrow flame to the edges of the metal tubingcauses them to become molten and to iiow together. Then if either theflame or the tube be removed the metal cools, leaving the. edges inwelded condition.

.Careful regulation of the flame, and of the distance between the nozzleand the tubing, and of the speed of movement of the tubing, are requiredto produce a uniform continuous weld, and these regulations are allaccu-- rately accomplished by the herein described machine or mill. Thewelding torch, as clearly shown in 7, ispositloned to direct the flamedownwardly and rearwardly at an angle to the tubing, so that the Hameenters between the rolls B2 yand the corona spreads along the top of thetubing toward the die block A17.- Gne purpose of the arrangement is toutilize otherwise wasted heat, to preheat the edges of the seam inadvance of actual weldino' by the intensely hot short flame beforereerred to. The preheating may be increased if desired by another torch,as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7.l Any such preheating lessensthe,

time required to weld the seam" and consequently permits the tubing tobe passed' through the machine more rapidly. The welding torch issupported in such manner that it may be quickly adjusted to workingposition or moved away. Figs. 7 and 8 disclose the parts by which thetorch is4 thus supported. B12 are brackets extendingl from the upperends of the stud shafts B8 and carrying a cross rod B11, at about themiddle of which is anadjustable but normally fixed arm B15. Pivoted onthe end of arm B15, is a torch carrying lever B18, andthe arm and leverare provided with stop shoulders B1"I by which the downward movement ofthe level` is limited. B18 is a split clamping block containing a splitsleeve B19. The

part B18 is connected to lthe lever B16 by a' horizontal stud, B1s2 andthe sleeve B12 is fastened on the torch member- BY. This arrangementpermits two independent move- .nozzle tip.

quickly swung away from the tubing, without disturbing the niceadjustment of the thumb screw B20 and the stop shoulder B12; and whenagain lowered the nozzle will assume its correct relation to the seam ofthe tubing. If the flame chances to play at one side or the other of theseam the defect may be quickly remedied by twisting the torch and sleeveB19 in the block B18. Metal which is vaporized by the welding flamesometimes condenses upon the tip of the nozzle and tends to distort thewelding flame. The metal thus deposited may be easily knocked off thenozzle. To relieve the attendant from that duty an automatic knock ofdevice is provided, the same comprising a light metal finger or bar B21which is car ried by the lever B22, pivoted at B28, see Figs. 3, 7 and8. One of the twoV rolls B2 is` provided with a series of lugs or pinsB21 which strike and operate the end of the lever B22, therebyreciprocating the linger B21. The lever and finger are returned by aspring. The end of the finger is concaved to fit the nozzle, and eachtime that it is thrust back by the lever and lugs, it scrapes or knocksthe accumulated metal oft' the From the foregoing it'will be clear thatthe confined abutting edges of the tube are welded together at theinstant of passage between the holding rolls B2 or at the instantimmediately following the full im- 110 pingement of the welding flame.It will also be clear that this welding operation goes on steadily, asfast as the tubing is fed or drawn into the welding mechanism. Attentionis called to the very small area or portion of the tube which is exposedto the hot flame between the rolls B2 of the welding mechanism. Whilethe remainder of the tube is heated, the comparatively cool rolls chillthe tubing, prevent its attaining a red heat except in the exposedparts, land in this Way possible distortion of the tubing is prevented,and it is permittedto retain nearly the whole of its strength, whichlatter is seen to be of 4when the resist-ance of the forming mecha'- lnism and the heavy pulling force of the traveling vise are considered. y

As an intermediate step of my process, I cool the vwelded portion of thetubing as prime importance 12 5

